" — looking out for sales of A.B.C.'s (приглядывающих за продажами /железнодорожного справочника / «Эй-би-си») — and so on (и так далее). Against that (против этого) I suppose (я полагаю) there's the advantage of working in the dark (есть преимущество работать скрытно) — not letting our man know (не позволять нашему преступнику: «человеку» знать) what we're up to (что мы собираемся делать), but then there's the fact (но, тогда есть факт) that he knows very well (что он очень хорошо знает) that we know (что мы знаем). He's drawn attention to himself deliberately by his letters (он преднамеренно привлек к себе внимание своими письмами). Eh, Crome (э, Кроум), what's your opinion (какое ваше мнение)?"

cooperation [kp'ren], interject [nt'ekt], advantage [d'v:nt]

"We've got to decide upon a policy," said the Assistant Commissioner. "The thing is — which way will give us the best results? Shall we give the public the facts — enlist their cooperation — after all, it'll be the cooperation of several million people, looking out for a madman — "

"He won't look like a madman," interjected Dr. Thompson.

" — looking out for sales of A.B.C.'s — and so on. Against that I suppose there's the advantage of working in the dark — not letting our man know what we're up to, but then there's the fact that he knows very well that we know. He's drawn attention to himself deliberately by his letters. Eh, Crome, what's your opinion?"

"I look at it this way, sir (я смотрю на это так, сэр). If you make it public (если вы сделаете это общеизвестным), you're playing A.B.C.'s game (вы сыграете на руку Эй-би-си: «вы сыграете в игру Эй-би-си»). That's what he wants (это /то/, чего он хочет) — publicity (известности) — notoriety (славы: «дурной славы»). That's what he's out after (это /то/, для чего он это все /затеял/). I'm right (я прав), aren't I, doctor (не так ли, доктор)? He wants to make a splash (он хочет произвести сенсацию: «он хочет сделать всплеск»; to make a splash — произвести фурор, наделать много шуму)."

Thompson nodded (Томпсон кивнул).

The Assistant Commissioner said thoughtfully (заместитель комиссара задумчиво сказал): "So you're for baulking him (так вы за то, что бы воспрепятствовать ему; to baulk = balk — мешать; сдерживать; разочаровывать). Refusing him the publicity (отказывая ему в известности) he's hankering after (/которой/ он страстно желает). What about you, M. Poirot (как насчет вас, мсье Пуаро)?"

Poirot did not speak for a minute (Пуаро с минуту /ничего/ не говорил). When he did (когда он заговорил: «когда он сделал это») it was with an air (это выглядело: «это было с видом») of choosing his words carefully (/словно он/ тщательно выбирал слова).

notoriety [nt'rat], baulk [b:k], hanker ['haek]

"I look at it this way, sir. If you make it public, you're playing A.B.C.'s game. That's what he wants — publicity — notoriety. That's what he's out after. I'm right, aren't I, doctor? He wants to make a splash."

Thompson nodded.

The Assistant Commissioner said thoughtfully: "So you're for baulking him. Refusing him the publicity he's hankering after. What about you, M. Poirot?"

Poirot did not speak for a minute. When he did it was with an air of choosing his words carefully.